Nathan Fillion is now renowned for portraying John Nolan in ABC’s crime drama The Rookie. The series, which is now in its seventh season with the season’s finale set to air on May 13, 2025, sees Fillion in the role of a rookie cop. However, making Fillion’s Nolan a one-of-a-kind rookie is the fact that he is 40 years old when the series kicks off. Nolan moves from a comfortable small-time life to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department. Fillion’s portrayal of the character has made him a favorite among viewers, with fans appreciating his charisma, wit, and ability to effortlessly balance drama with lighthearted moments.
However, The Rookie is not the first time Fillion has appeared in a cop-centered show. Almost a decade before the release of The Rookie, Fillion played the dynamic and suave Richard Castle on ABC’s Castle. Premiering in 2009, Castle ran for eight seasons, ending in 2016. In good news for audiences who missed the series when it initially aired but still want to get their fill of Fillion in the beloved drama, Castle is now streaming for free.
Where Can You Watch ‘Castle’?
Despite its somewhat dramatic cancellations, Castle has had a loyal following throughout the years thanks to its intriguing narrative and the dynamic between the leading duo. Given this, the news that the series is finally streaming at no monetary cost has justifiably been music to fans’ ears. However, as with most good things, there’s a catch: the show can be streamed for free if you don’t mind ads.
All eight seasons of Castle are available for free on The Roku Channel, provided one has a tolerance for ads. At the time of writing, no confirmation has been provided regarding how long the stream-for-free option may last. The Roku Channel is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. Castle is also available for streaming on Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video, provided one already has the streaming service or is willing to pay for it. For those who want to try the series but do not want to make a monetary commitment, the offer on The Roku Channel is still the best.
What Is ‘Castle’ About?
Created by Andrew W. Marlowe, Castle follows the charismatic Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a famous mystery novelist who partners with the NYPD to try his hand at solving real-life crimes while seeking inspiration for his books. Castle is joined by Detective Kate Beckett, played by Stana Katic, and the chemistry between the duo is the heart of the series. What begins as a professional relationship soon morphs into one that walks the tightrope of romantic tension and professional obligations, much to the thrill of fans.
The storyline of the series begins with the NYPD reaching out to Castle when a series of murders becomes a replica of his books. So begins a collaboration where Castle, as an author-turned-civilian-consultant, puts his creativity, imagination, and wit into helping the NYPD solve crimes. Although initially not a fan of having Castle in tow, Beckett soon begins to appreciate the author’s expertise. The leading duo is joined by fellow detectives Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas), Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever), medical examiner Lanie Parish (Tamala Jones), Castle’s mother, Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan), and Castle’s daughter, Alexis (Molly Quinn).
Castle ran for eight seasons and ended with 173 episodes under its belt. Each season of the series typically consists of 22 to 24 episodes, with some exceptions. With an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, the show has been applauded for its engaging mysteries, sharp writing, and, most of all, the undeniable chemistry between Fillion and Katic, which remains a major pull of the series.
Why Was ‘Castle’ Canceled?
Castle was canceled after its eighth season, with the series finale airing on May 16, 2016. While numerous reasons were cited for the show’s cancellation, shattering viewers’ rose-tinted view of the leading duo, one posited reason was the real-life tense relationship between Fillion and Katic. Rumors at the time noted that this tension may have contributed to Katic’s exit from the show after Season 8. It was reported that Fillion and Katic had a strained relationship and would not interact when not filming. According to an insider who spoke to US Weekly, Fillion was “nasty to Stana for a long time.” Emphasizing the toxicity of the relationship, another insider said:
“It got so out of hand they made Stana and Nathan go to couples counseling together”
Other reasons for the cancellation include a noticeable decline in the series’ viewership, declining ratings, and ill-thought-out creative decisions that impacted Castle’s direction. However, many fans still maintain that the behind-the-scenes tension between Fillion and Katic was the ultimate straw that broke the camel’s back.
With Katic’s exit at the end of Season 8, ABC axed the reportedly planned ninth season of Castle, choosing not to move ahead without one of the show’s central characters. The series finale, which was meant to be open-ended and lead into a future season, was hastily redone to provide Castle with a conclusive farewell. Despite this, many viewers agreed that the ending of Castle still felt rushed and abrupt. Stream Castle on The Roku Channel.
